Display systems and methods for dynamically updating a graphical user interface

ABSTRACT

A display system provides a graphical user interface having a dynamic display field, which is contained within a useable display area. The dynamic display field can have an expanded state and collapsed state, and the current state of the dynamic display field can depend on properties of the useable display area. When collapsed, the dynamic display area has a shared content area and two or more content tags. Each content tag can be active or inactive, and the shared content area shows displayable contents corresponding to active content tags. Tags are activated and deactivated based on user selections. When expanded, the dynamic display field includes dedicated content areas, where each dedicated content area shows a displayable content. Accordingly, when the useable display space allows, the dynamic display field can automatically transition to the expanded state, thereby enabling a greater amount of content to be displayed at a time.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application is a continuation application claiming priority under35 U.S.C. §120 to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/077,360, filed 31Mar. 2011, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S.Provisional Patent Application Nos. 61/319,633 and 61/319,642, bothfiled 31 Mar. 2010, and also which is a continuation-in-part of, andclaims priority to, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/709,228, filed19 Feb. 2010. The entire contents and substance of these four priorityapplications are hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set outbelow

TECHNICAL FIELD

Various embodiments of the present invention relate to graphical userinterfaces and, more particularly, to display systems and methods forproviding dynamic display fields in a graphical user interface, whereinthe dynamic display fields automatically expand or collapse based on auseable display size.

BACKGROUND

Users generally interact with computing devices through graphical userinterfaces, which can display relevant content to users in auser-friendly, graphical manner. A graphical user interface is boundedby aspects of the computing device on which it is presented. Forexample, a graphical user interface can be limited to a virtual windowor other bounding space provided for a software application underlyingthe graphical user interface.

In some instances, the size of the space provided to a graphical userinterface restricts the amount of content that can be presented to auser. To handle these instances, software applications may limit theamount of content displayed to the user in a graphical user interface toan amount that can be squeezed into an expected size of available space.Alternatively, some software applications include scroll bars, so thatthe user can scroll between portions of the graphical user interfacewhen the entire graphical user interface does not fit into the availablespace. Unfortunately, these partial solutions do not enable the user tocontrol what is displayed and do not adequately take advantage ofavailable space when that space is relatively large.

Therefore, there is a need for a graphical user interface that caneffectively adapt to the space provided for displaying content. In anexemplary embodiment, such a graphical user interface can make allcontents available, even when the space provided is relatively small, byallowing a user to easily switch between available contents. It would befurther desirable, when that available space increases, for a graphicaluser interface to expand and provide dedicated display areas for contentthat would not have dedicated space if the total available space wererelatively small. It is to embodiments of such graphical user interfacesthat various embodiments of the present invention are directed.

SUMMARY

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention can include dynamicdisplay fields, graphical user interfaces, and display systems andmethods. A display system according to some embodiments of the presentinvention can provide dynamic display fields within graphical userinterfaces. A dynamic display field can be contained within a useabledisplay area, and can expand or collapse based on the size of theuseable display area. To provide the dynamic display field within agraphical user interface, the display system can comprise a displayunit, a detection unit, and a computer processor.

The display unit can communicate or display a display field to a user.The dynamic display field can be used to display one or more displayablecontents associated with the dynamic display field. The dynamic displayfield can have a collapsed state and an expanded state.

In the collapsed state the dynamic display field can comprise a sharedcontent area and two or more content tags. Each of the content tags cancorrespond to one of the displayable contents associated with thedynamic display field. A content tag can move between an active stateand an inactive state based on selections of a user, where at least oneof the content tags is inactive at a given time. Displayable contentscorresponding to active content tags can be shown in the content area,while at least one displayable content associated with an inactivecontent tag can be temporarily hidden from view until a user'sselections make inactive content tag active.

In the expanded state, the dynamic display field can comprise two ormore dedicated content areas. Each content area can be dedicated todisplaying one of the displayable contents associated with the dynamicdisplay field, such that an increased number of displayable contents areshown to the user at a time, as compared to the collapsed state. In someexemplary embodiments, each displayable content has a dedicated contentarea in the expanded state of the dynamic display field, so that alldisplayable contents are simultaneously viewable by the user.

The detection unit of the display system can detect changes to theuseable display area. The appropriate state of the dynamic display fieldcan depend on one or more properties of the useable display areacontaining the dynamic display field. For instance, if a measure of theuseable display field exceeds a threshold value, then the dynamicdisplay field can automatically and dynamically be placed into anexpanded state. Conversely, if the useable display area does not exceedthe threshold, then the dynamic display field can automatically anddynamically be placed in the collapsed state. The detection unit candetect changes to these properties to enable the display system todetermine when and how to update the state of the dynamic display field.

The computer processor can transition the dynamic display field betweenthe collapsed and expanded states as indicated by properties of theuseable display area detected by the detection unit. Accordingly, thedynamic display field can adapt to the useable display area to presentthe user with an increased amount of content when increased space isavailable for presenting content.

These and other objects, features, and advantages of the dynamic displayfields, graphical user interfaces, and display systems and methods willbecome more apparent upon reading the following specification inconjunction with the accompanying drawing figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 illustrates relationships between various elements involved adisplay system, according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a computer architecture for a computing device onwhich the graphical user interface can be displayed by the displaysystem, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate views of a graphical user interface having adynamic display field in a collapsed state, as provided by the displaysystem, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates the graphical user interface having the dynamicdisplay field in an expanded state, according to an exemplary embodimentof the present invention.

FIGS. 5A-5B illustrate an exemplary use of the dynamic display field,according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a method of updating the current state of the dynamicdisplay field of the graphical user interface, according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 7-26 illustrate various screenshots of three-column graphical userinterfaces that can provided by the display system, according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 27-57 illustrate various screenshots of four-column graphical userinterfaces that can be provided by the display system, according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention comprise dynamicgraphical user interfaces and dynamic display fields for graphical userinterfaces. To facilitate an understanding of the principles andfeatures of the present invention, various exemplary embodiments areexplained below for illustrative purposes. In particular, embodiments ofthe graphical user interface are described in the context ofincorporating dynamic display fields configured to horizontally expand,multiply, divide, or collapse based on the size of the virtual windowcontaining the graphical user interface. Embodiments of the invention,however, are not limited to this context. Rather, embodiments of theinvention can facilitate many variations of dynamically updating agraphical user interface based on the size of a virtual window or otheruseable display area. For example, and not limitation, a dynamic displayfield of a graphical user interface can expand vertically, as opposed tohorizontally.

The components described hereinafter as making up various elements ofthe invention are intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Othersuitable components that would perform the same or similar functions ascomponents described herein are intended to be embraced within the scopeof graphical user interfaces of the present invention. Such othercomponents not described herein but potentially embraced by theinvention may include, but are not limited to, for example, componentsdeveloped after development of the invention.

Referring now to the figures, wherein like reference numerals representlike parts throughout the views, various embodiments of dynamic displayfields, graphical user interfaces, and display systems and methods forproviding same will be described in detail.

FIG. 1 illustrates a diagram depicting exemplary relationships between adisplay system 100, a graphical user interface 150, and a dynamicdisplay field 155 of the present invention. According to embodiments ofthe present invention, a display system 100 can provide a graphical userinterface 150 of the present invention, and can be integrated, in wholeor in part, into a computing device 200. The display system 100 can bein many forms, including a local software application, a remoteapplication accessed by a web client, one or more hardware components,or a combination of these. In an exemplary embodiment, the displaysystem 100 graphically displays data and is integrated into anothersystem having one or more utilities, in order to display data for theone or more utilities.

The graphical user interface 150 can be provided by the display system100 as a means for a user to interact with an underlying utilityserviced by the display system 100. The graphical user interface 150 canreceive input from the user and communicate that input to the underlyingutility. The display system 100 can dynamically update the graphicaluser interface 150 using a dynamic display field 155, which can occupyall or a portion of the graphical user interface 150. For example, andnot limitation, if the graphical user interface 150 is embodied in a webpage or website, the dynamic display field 155 can be a frame integratedinto the web page or website. If the graphical user interface 150 is theinterface for a local software application, then the dynamic displayfield 155 can be, for example, a portion of a virtual window in whichthe local application is displayed.

If the display system 100 is implemented as part of a web application,then the display system 100 can be operated remotely, such as by aserver 110. The server 110 can be configured to service a website orotherwise communicate data to be displayed on the computing device 200.In that case, the display system 100 can display the graphical userinterface 150 onto the local computing device 200 by way of transmittinginstructions from the server 110 to the computing device 200 over anetwork 50.

As shown in FIG. 1, the display system 100 can comprise one or moreunits for operation of various tasks of the display system 100. Theseunits of the display system 100 can be modules, applications, devices,systems, services, or combinations or portions thereof. Such units ofthe display system 100 can include a display unit 120, an input unit130, and a detection unit 140. Although the display system 100 is shownin FIG. 1 as being embodiment in the computing device 200, if thedisplay system 100 is operated by the server 110, then as mention above,the display system 100 can be embodiment on the server 110, which cancommunicate aspects of the display system 100 to the computing device200.

The display unit 120 can draw the graphical user interface 150,including the dynamic display field 155. In some instances, drawing thegraphical user interface 150 and the dynamic display field 155 cancomprise communicating drawing instructions to a web client or from theserver 110 to the computing device 200. The input unit 130 can receiveand interpret a user's interactions with the graphical user interface150. These interactions can indicate, for example, how to update thedynamic display field 155. The detection unit 140 can detect changes toa useable display area 152 in which the dynamic display field 155 iscontained, which can affect the state of the dynamic display field 155,as will be described in more detail below. The units of the displaysystem 100 can utilize a computer processor of the computing device 200or the server 110 for performing various operations, and can be incommunication with one another as necessary to perform tasks for thedisplay system 100.

The display system 100 can provide or recognize the boundaries of auseable display area 152, which can contain all or a portion of thedynamic display field 155 within the graphical user interface 150. Thedynamic display field 155 of the graphical user interface 150 can changeits state in response to changes in the size of the useable display area152. For instance, when the width of the useable display area 152 isbelow a predetermined threshold, the dynamic display field 155 can be ina collapsed state. Analogously, when the width of the useable displayarea 152 is at or above a predetermined threshold, the dynamic displayfield 155 can be in an expanded state. Accordingly, the dynamic displayfield 155 can make effective use of the useable display area 152.

In the collapsed state, the dynamic display field 155 can comprise ashared content area 320 (see FIG. 3) and two or more content tags 330(see FIG. 3). Each content tag 330 can correspond to a displayablecontent 350 (see FIG. 3) that can be displayed within the shared contentarea 320. In the collapsed state, the dynamic display field 155 may nothave enough room to show all of these displayable contents 350 at once,so the shared content area 320 can be limited to displaying fewer thanall available displayable contents 350 at any given time. In anexemplary embodiment, for example, only one displayable content 350 at atime can be displayed in the shared content area 320 of a dynamicdisplay field 155. A user can switch between which contents aredisplayed in the shared content area 320 by activating and deactivatingcontent tags 330 corresponding to the displayable contents 350.

In contrast, when the dynamic display field 155 is in an expanded state,a greater number of the displayable contents 350 can be presented in thedynamic display field 155 at a time. For example, and not limitation,the shared content area 320 can be replaced by two or more sharedcontent areas 320, separate dedicated content areas 410 (see FIG. 4), ora combination of shared and dedicated content areas 320 and 410. Forexample, in a dynamic display field 155 associated with two displayablecontents 350, the shared content area 320 can be replaced with a firstcontent area and a second content area. The first content area candisplay the first displayable content, and the second content area candisplay the second displayable content, such that both contents areviewable to the user at once.

The display system 100 can detect changes in the size of the useabledisplay area 152. When the dynamic display field 155 is in a collapsedstate and the size of the useable display area 152 increases to at leastor greater than a threshold size, then the display system 100 can updatethe dynamic display field 155 to the expanded state. When the dynamicdisplay field 155 is in the expanded state, and the size of the useabledisplay area 152 decreases to or below the threshold, then the displaysystem 100 can update the dynamic display field 155 to the collapsedstate. Accordingly, the dynamic display field 155 can dynamically updatewithin the graphical user interface 150 based on the size of the displayarea allotted.

FIG. 2 illustrates a computer architecture for the computing device 200,on which the graphical user interface 150 can be displayed by thedisplay system 100. Those skilled in the art will recognize that thegeneral architecture described with reference to FIG. 2 is for exampleonly, and can be modified to accommodate various embodiments of thedisplay system 100 and particular operational environments. As shown inFIG. 2, the computing device 200 can comprise a central processing unit205 and one or more system memories 207, such as a random access memory209 (“RAM”) and a non-volatile memory, such as a read-only memory(“ROM”) 211. The computing device 200 can further comprise a system bus212 coupling together the memory 207, the processing unit 205, andvarious other components. A basic input/output system containingroutines to assist in transferring information between components of thecomputing device 200 can be stored in the ROM 211. Additionally, thecomputing device 200 can include a mass storage device 214 for storingan operating system 216, application programs, and other programmodules.

The mass storage device 214 can be connected to the processing unit 205through a mass storage controller (not shown) connected to the bus 212.The mass storage device 214 and other computer-readable media cancomprise computer storage media, which can include volatile andnon-volatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in anymethod or technology for storage of information, such ascomputer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, orother data. Computer storage media includes, but is not limited to, RAM,ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash memory, other solid state memory technology,CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (“DVD”), other optical storage, magneticcassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage, other magnetic storagedevices, or various other media used to store data accessible by thecomputing device 200.

A number of program modules and data files can be stored in the computerstorage media and RAM 209 of the computing device 200. Such programmodules and data files can include an operating system 216 suitable forcontrolling operations of a networked personal computer. A web browserapplication program, or web client 224, can also be stored on thecomputer storage media and RAM 209. The web client 224 may comprise anapplication program for requesting and rendering web pages 226 createdin Hypertext Markup Language (“HTML”) or other types of markuplanguages. The web client 224 can be capable of executing scriptsthrough the use of a scripting host. The scripting host executes programcode expressed as scripts within the browser environment.

Computer-readable instructions on the storage media of the computingdevice 200 can include, for example, instructions for implementingprocesses of the display system 100 or for implementing a web client 224for receiving instructions from the display system 100 when operatedremotely. These instructions can be executed by the computer processor205 to enable use of the display system 100. If a server 110 operatesthe display system 100 remotely from the computing device 200 on whichthe graphical user interface 150 is displayed, then a computer processor205 at the server 110 can execute instructions on computer storage mediaaccessible by the server 110 for operating processes of the displaysystem 100.

The computing device 200 may operate in a networked environment usinglogical connections to remote computers, such as the server 110, over anetwork 50, such as the Internet. The computing device 200 can connectto the network 50, the server 110, and other remote computers through anetwork interface unit 220 connected to the bus 212.

The computing device 200 can also include an input/output controller 222for receiving and processing input from a number of input devices,including a keyboard, mouse, or electronic stylus. Interactions betweenthe input devices and the graphical user interface 150 can be detectedby the input/output controller 222 to provide meaningful input to thecomputing device 200. The input/output controller 222 can additionallyprovide output, which can be in the form of the graphical user interface150 provided by the display system 100. The output can be provided to adisplay screen, a printer, or other type of output device.

FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate views of a graphical user interface 150 having adynamic display field 155 in a collapsed state, as provided by thedisplay system 100, according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention. As shown, the graphical user interface 150 can be displayedinside a virtual window 310, such as a window provided by an operatingsystem 216, or some other appropriate container for the graphical userinterface 150. The graphical user interface 150 can enable the user tointeract with the computing device 200 or a utility provided by thecomputing device 200. The graphical user interface 150 can providevarious content 340 to the user, and one or more dynamic display fields155 can be among the content 340 displayed to the user in the graphicaluser interface 150.

In an exemplary embodiment of the display system 100, the dynamicdisplay field 155 can be confined to a useable display area 152 withinthe graphical user interface 150. The useable display area 152 can limitthe boundaries of the dynamic display field 155, such that all or apredetermined portion of the dynamic display field 155 can be requiredto remain completely inside the useable display area 152. The size andshape of the useable display area 152 can relate to the size and shapeof the entire graphical user interface 150 in various ways. For example,in some embodiments, the useable display area 152 can be the entirespace of the graphical user interface 150, while in other embodiments,the useable display area 152 can be a portion of the graphical userinterface 150, as shown in FIG. 3. Although the useable display area 152is depicted as being framed in FIG. 3, this need not be the case. Insome embodiments, the size, shape, and position of the useable displayarea 152 need not be apparent to the user, as long as the display system100 is aware of the relevant characteristics of the useable display area152.

As mentioned above, the dynamic display field 155 can have multiplestates, and the state of the dynamic display field 155 at a given timecan depend at least partially on characteristics of the useable displayarea 152. The states of the dynamic display field 155 can include acollapsed state and an expanded state, where the expanded state can beused when the size or shape of useable display area 152 prohibits use ofthe expanded state. If the useable display area 152 becomes larger orsmaller in one or more dimensions or in total area, then the dynamicdisplay field 155 can respond by changing between states appropriatelyto accommodate or make better use of the size, shape, or combined sizeand shape of the useable display area 152.

As shown in FIGS. 3A-3B, in the collapsed state, the dynamic displayfield 155 can comprise a shared content area 320 and two or more contenttags 330. Additionally, the dynamic display field 155 can be associatedwith two or more displayable contents 350, including a first displayablecontent 354 (see FIG. 3A) and a second displayable content 358 (see FIG.3B). In an exemplary embodiment, dynamic display field 155 is associatedwith one displayable content 350 per content tag 330 of the dynamicdisplay field 155, and each content tag 330 can correspond to one of theassociated displayable contents 350. In other words, the number ofdisplayable contents 350 associated with the dynamic display field 155can equal the number of content tags 330 of the dynamic display field155. For example, the dynamic display field 155 can have two contenttags 330, as shown in FIG. 3, and can be associated with two displayablecontents 350. Further, a first of the two content tags 330 cancorrespond to a first of the two displayable contents 350, and a secondof the two content tags 330 can correspond to a second of the twodisplayable contents 350.

Each content tag 330 can include a label indicating or describing itscorresponding displayable content 350, so as to convey to a user thetype of content that will be shown in the shared content area 320 whenactivating a certain content tag 330. In the example of FIG. 3, twocontent tags 330 are provided, corresponding to two displayable contents350. The first of the two content tags 330 is labeled “LIVE VIDEO” toindicate that it corresponds to a displayable content 350 related to alive video feed. The second of the two content tags 330 is labeled “CHATLIST” to indicate its correspondence to a displayable content 350 thatlists ongoing chats. Content tags 330 and displayable contents 350 arenot limited to these labels and substances, but can include many labelsand substances, based on the desires of those producing, operating, orotherwise using the display system 100.

The shared content area 320 can be limited to displaying only apredetermined number of the available displayable contents 350 at agiven time, and that predetermined number can generally be less than thetotal number of displayable contents 350 associated with the dynamicdisplay field 155. For example, as shown in FIGS. 3A-3B, the sharedcontent area 320 can only display a single displayable content 350 at agiven time, but the dynamic display field 155 has two content tags 330and is associated with two corresponding displayable contents 354 and358. In some exemplary embodiments, the shared content area 320 candisplay only a single displayable content 350, as in FIGS. 3A-3B. Otherexemplary embodiments, however, can provide shared content areas 320capable of containing multiple displayable contents 350 at once. Someshared content areas 320 may even modify the number of displayablecontents 350 shown at a given time based on the size and shape of theuseable display area 152, when that size and shape indicates a collapsedstate but is still large enough to contain multiple displayable contents350.

Like the dynamic display field 155, each content tag 330 can be capableof being in multiple states, including an active state and an inactivestate. When a content tag 330 is inactive, its corresponding displayablecontent 350 is not displayed in the shared content area 320.Alternatively, when a content tag 330 is active, then the displayablecontent 350 corresponding to that active content tag 330 can bedisplayed by the display system 100 in the shared content area 320 ofthe dynamic display field 155. As shown by comparing FIGS. 3A-3B againsteach other, different displayable contents 354 and 358 can appear in theshared content area 320 based on which content tags 330 are active.Because the shared content area 320 can display fewer than the totalnumber of associated displayable contents 350, at least one content tag330 can be inactive at a given time.

The displayable contents 350 shown in the shared content area 320 can beselected based on which content tags 330 are active, where activecontent tags 330 correspond to displayed contents, and inactive contenttags 330 correspond to contents that are not currently displayed in theshared content area 320. A user can select content tags 330, such aswith a mouse or other input device, to make content tags 330 active orinactive. For example, and not limitation, a dynamic display field 155can have two content tags 330 corresponding to two displayable contents350. When a user selects the first content tag 330, the first contenttag 330 can become active, and the displayable content 350 is displayedin the shared content area 320. When the shared content area 320 canshow only a single displayable content 350 at a time, as in FIGS. 3A-3B,when the first content tag 330 becomes active, the second content tag330 can simultaneously become inactive, so that the second displayablecontent 358 is no longer displayed in the shared content area 320.Therefore, by swapping selections between the first and second contenttags 330, the user can toggle between viewing the first displayablecontent 354 and the second displayable content 358.

FIG. 4 illustrates the graphical user interface 150 of FIG. 3 having itsdynamic display field 155 in an expanded state, according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention. When in the expandedstate, the dynamic display field 155 can have separate, dedicatedcontent areas 410 in place of or in addition to the shared content area320. The dynamic display field 155 of FIG. 4 depicts an expanded stateof the dynamic display field 155 appearing in FIGS. 3A-3B. As shown, inplace of the single shared content area 320, distinct first and secondcontent areas 414 and 418 are provided.

Each separate content area 414 and 418 can correspond to individualdisplayable contents 350 and can be dedicated to displaying itscorresponding displayable content 350. In this manner, the expandedstate can enable more displayable contents 350 to be viewed at a singletime than could be viewed when the same dynamic display field 155 was inits collapsed state. In some exemplary embodiments, an expanded dynamicdisplay field 155 includes a dedicated content area 410 for eachdisplayable content 350. In other exemplary embodiments, however, whilethe expanded state can enable a greater number of the displayablecontents 350 to be viewed at a time than were viewable in the collapsedstate, some displayable contents 350 may still share a content area 320.In that case, even in an expanded state, content tags 330 can still beused to allow a user to select between displayable contents 350.

As shown in FIG. 4, the dynamic display field 155 with two associateddisplayable contents 350 can expand to include a first content area 414and a second content area 418. The first displayable content 354 can beshown in the first content area 414, while the second displayablecontent 358 is shown at the same time in the second content area 418.Although the content tags 330 may lose some of their utility in theexpanded state of the dynamic display field 155, the content tags 330can still be provided in the expanded state to label their correspondingdisplayable contents 350. In the expanded state, however, the contenttags 330 can all remain in active states if each displayable content 350has a dedicated content area 410, as shown in FIG. 4.

The display system 100 can transition the dynamic display field 155between expanded and collapsed states based on detected properties, orchanges to properties, of the useable display area 152. If apredetermined first set of criteria are met, the display system 100 canprovide the dynamic display field 155 in the expanded state. If apredetermined second set of criteria are met, the display system 100 canprovide the dynamic display field 155 in the collapsed state. In someexemplary embodiments, where only the two states are provided, these twosets of criteria can be the reverses of each other, such that at anytime, one and only one of these sets of criteria are met, and theappropriate state of the dynamic display field 155 is therebydetermined. Accordingly, in that case, the two sets of criteria can bethought of a single set of criteria that determines whether the dynamicdisplay field 155 should be in a particular one of the two states,collapsed or expanded, and failure to meet the criteria can indicatethat the other state should be applied. In other exemplary embodiments,however, intermediate states between expanded and collapsed can also beprovided, and in that case, the two sets of criteria used to determinewhether the dynamic display field 155 is in an expanded or collapsedneed not be reverses of each other.

As mentioned, the criteria for determining an appropriate state of thedynamic display field 155 can be based on one or more properties of theuseable display area 152. For example, the criteria can require that ameasure of the useable display area 152 meet or exceed a predeterminedthreshold for the expanded state to be applied. The relevant measure ofthe useable display area 152 can be, for example, the height, width, orarea of the useable display area 152. For example, if the useabledisplay area 152 is wider than, or at least as wide as, thepredetermined threshold, then the expanded state can apply. Conversely,if the useable display area 152 is narrower than, or at least as narrowas, the predetermined threshold, then the collapsed state can apply tothe dynamic display field 155. Alternatively, the criteria fordetermining an appropriate state can consider height, area, or acombination of width, height, and area, instead of just the width of theuseable display area 152.

The positions of the dedicated content areas 410 within the dynamicdisplay field 155 and within the useable display area 152 can depend onthe size and shape of the useable display area 152. For example, and notlimitation, an exemplary embodiment of the display system 100 can applythe expanded state to the dynamic display field 155 when the height ofthe useable display area 152 exceeds a first predetermined threshold orwhen the width of the useable display area 152 exceeds a secondpredetermined threshold. In that case, if the height of the useabledisplay area 152 exceeds the first threshold but the width of theuseable display area 152 does not exceed the second threshold, then thededicated content areas 410 can be positioned top-to-bottom or in somemanner that otherwise makes use of the provided vertical space.Conversely, if the width of the useable display area 152 exceeds thesecond threshold but the height of the useable display area 152 does notexceed the first threshold, then the dedicated content areas 410 can bepositioned side-by-side or in some manner that otherwise makes use ofthe provided horizontal space. For an alternative example, if the onlythreshold criteria used to determine an appropriate state of the dynamicdisplay field 155 relates to the width of the useable display area 152,then the dedicated content areas 410 can always be positionedside-by-side when the useable display area 152 exceeds the widththreshold and the dynamic display field 155 is placed in the expandedstate. Analogously, for another example, if the only threshold criteriaused to determine an appropriate state relates to the height of theuseable display area 152, then the dedicated content areas 410 canalways be positioned top-to-bottom when the useable display area 152exceeds the height threshold and the dynamic display field 155 is placedin the expanded state.

Transitioning the dynamic display field 155 to an expanded state canmake efficient use of space provided in the useable display area 152.When the dynamic display field 155 becomes expanded due to a widthincrease in the useable display area 152, then the width of the spaceoccupied by the resulting dedicated content areas 410 can exceed thewidth of the shared content area 320 in the collapsed state.Analogously, when the dynamic display field 155 becomes expanded due toa height increase in the useable display area 152, then the height ofthe space occupied by the resulting dedicated content areas 410 canexceed the height of the shared content area 320 in the collapsed state.As a result, the dynamic display field 155 can enable a user to view anincreased amount of total content by utilizing the space provided. Thisbeneficial feature of the dynamic display field 155 is illustrated bycomparing FIG. 4 with FIGS. 3A-3B. As compared with FIGS. 3A-3B, theuseable display area 152 of FIG. 4 is wider because of an increase inthe size of the virtual window 310 containing the graphical userinterface 150. To take advantage of the increased horizontal space, theshared content area 320 of FIG. 3 is replaced with the side-by-sidededicated content areas 410 of FIG. 4, which have a greater combinedwidth than the shared content area 320. In the dedicated content areas410, a user can simultaneously view two displayable contents 350, whileonly one displayable content 350 was viewable at a time with the dynamicdisplay field 155 in the collapsed state.

The dynamic display field 155 can be integrated into the graphical userinterface 150 in various ways to enhance a user's experience with thegraphical user interface 150. For example, and not limitation, FIGS.5A-5B illustrate a use of the dynamic display field 155. As shown, theoverall content 340 of the graphical user interface can include, inaddition to the dynamic display field 155, two columns of substance,which can be a combination of graphics, text, or other media.

When the dynamic display field 155 is in the collapsed state, as in FIG.5A, the depicted graphical user interface 150 can appear to have a totalof three columns, with the third column being the dynamic display field155 and enabling the user to select which displayable content 350 ispresented. As shown in FIG. 5B, horizontally expanding the window 310 inwhich the graphical user interface 150 is displayed can stretch theuseable display area 152, thereby causing the dynamic display field 155to transition into the expanded state. As a result, the graphical userinterface 150 can appear to have four columns, instead of the threecolumns appearing when the dynamic display field 155 is collapsed.

FIGS. 5A-5B illustrate a single example of integrating a dynamic displayfield 155 into a graphical user interface 150 to create a dynamicgraphical user interface 150. Numerous other uses of the dynamic displayfield 155 can be used in graphical user interfaces 150 to effect variousresults.

FIGS. 7-26 illustrate various screenshots of three-column graphical userinterfaces 150 that can provided by some embodiments of the displaysystem 100. FIGS. 27-57 illustrate various screenshots of four-columngraphical user interfaces 150 that can provided by some embodiments ofthe display system 100. For example, the graphical user interfaces 150in FIGS. 7-26 can represent a collapsed state of the dynamic displayfield 155, while those in FIGS. 27-57 can represent an expanded state ofthe dynamic display field 155 having an increased number of columns.

FIG. 6 illustrates a method 600 of updating a dynamic display field 155to efficiently utilize space, according to embodiments of the presentinvention. As shown in FIG. 6, at 610, the display system 100 can detecta change to the useable display area 152. At 620, the display system 100can determine the current state of the dynamic display field 155,collapsed or expanded. If the dynamic display field 155 is currentlyexpanded, at 630, the display system 100 can then determine whether thechange to the useable display area 152 meets the criteria for applyingthe collapsed state. If these collapsed state criteria are met, then thedisplay system 100 can transition the dynamic display field 155 to thecollapsed state, at 640. Otherwise, if the criteria are not met, at 690,the display system 100 can wait for another change to the useabledisplay area 152 to, once again, begin determining whether a statechange is appropriate. Alternatively, if the dynamic display field 155is currently collapsed, at 650, the display system 100 can determinewhether the change to the useable display area 152 meets the criteriafor applying the expanded state. If these expanded state criteria aremet, then the display system 100 can transition the dynamic displayfield 155 to the expanded state, at 660. Otherwise, if the criteria arenot met, at 690, the display system 100 can wait for another change tothe useable display area 152 to begin determining whether a state changeis appropriate. The display system 100 can repeat this method 600,beginning at 610, upon another detection of a change to the useabledisplay area 152.

The method 600 depicted in FIG. 6 is not the only method that can beused to update a dynamic display field 155, and various modificationscan be made to the updating method 600 without departing from theinvention. For example, and not limitation, some embodiments of thedisplay system 100 need not detect the current state of the dynamicdisplay field 155 in order to update the dynamic display field 155. Upondetecting a size change, the display system 100 can determine whichstate the dynamic display field 155 should be in given the new size ofthe useable display area 152, taking the size change into account. Thedisplay system 100 can then redraw the dynamic display field 155, or theentire graphical user interface 150, based on the new size of theuseable display area 152. This can result in redrawing the dynamicdisplay field 155 when the state of the dynamic display field 155 isunchanged by the size change, but can also eliminate the need todetermine the current state of the dynamic display field 155. Variousother updating methods can also be provided to properly apply the statesof the dynamic display field 155.

Accordingly, through providing a dynamic display field 155 in agraphical user interface 150, the display system 100 can make efficientuse of space, while displaying a suitable amount of content to a user.

While display systems 100 and methods, graphical user interfaces 150,and dynamic display fields 155 of the present invention have beendisclosed in exemplary forms, it will be apparent to those skilled inthe art that many modifications, additions, and deletions can be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, asset forth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer-implemented method for adjusting adynamic display field of a useable display area having a height and awidth, the method comprising: detecting, by a processor, a change in theheight and/or width of the useable display area; determining, by theprocessor, a current state of the dynamic display field to be anexpanded state, the dynamic display field in the expanded statecomprising two or more dedicated content areas, each dedicated contentarea corresponding to a displayable content, and each displayablecontent associated with a content tag, one of the tags being in anactive state; determining, by the processor, that the change in theheight and/or width of the useable display area meets a criteria forapplying a collapsed state to the dynamic display field; and applyingthe collapsed state to the dynamic display field, the dynamic displayfield in the collapsed state comprising the content tags and a sharedcontent area corresponding to the displayable content associated withthe active content tag.